MA(9): $67.01
MA(20): $67.18
MACD: 0.3358
Signal: 0.1391
Days since crossover: 2
Value: 60.58
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 10,900
Avg (20d): 202,182
Ratio: 0.05
%K: 92.98
%D: 74.19
ADX: 14.23
+DI: 29.39
-DI: 16.13
Value: -7.02
Upper: 69.61
Middle: 67.18
Lower: 64.76
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13314.0 | 13273.0 | 13300.0 | 12533.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6136.0 | 5976.0 | 6871.0 | 6987.67 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2698.0 | 3855.0 | 4186.0 | 4571.33 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 16911.0 | 16936.0 | 16407.0 | 16173.33 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3438.0 | 2121.0 | 2685.0 | 2416.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 426691.0 | 418993.0 | 436485.0 | 433124.33 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1660512.0 | 1653187.0 | 1665878.0 | 1651905.0 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 228405.0 | 231129.0 | 227422.0 | 222710.67 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 113536.0 | 109901.0 | 125313.0 | 117774.67 |
Brent crude (SEP 25) settled at $72.51, change $+2.47. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $69.21, change $+2.5. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.3 (Brent premium of $3.30). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC expresses a cautious optimism regarding the oil market, reflecting steady growth in global demand despite recent economic challenges.
| Metric | Value/Forecast | Source/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| World Oil Demand Growth (2025) | 1.3 mb/d | Unchanged from last month’s assessment |
| World Oil Demand Growth (2026) | 1.3 mb/d | Unchanged from last month’s assessment |
| Non-OPEC Liquids Supply Growth (2025) | 0.8 mb/d | Revised down by 0.1 mb/d |
| Non-OPEC Liquids Supply Growth (2026) | 0.8 mb/d | Revised down by 0.1 mb/d |
| Call on OPEC Crude (2025) | 42.6 mb/d | Revised upward by 0.1 mb/d |
| Call on OPEC Crude (2026) | 42.9 mb/d | Revised upward by 0.1 mb/d |
| OECD Commercial Stock Deviation | 173 mb below 2015–2019 average | As of March |
| Compliance Levels | N/A | Not Mentioned |
OPEC maintains a focus on market stability, emphasizing the need for cooperation among member countries to manage supply effectively and respond to global demand fluctuations. The organization is closely monitoring economic indicators and market dynamics to inform future production strategies.
"The global economy continues to demonstrate a steady growth trend despite recent tariff-related developments."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward, standing at 42.6 mb/d in 2025."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-07-22
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,013,304 contracts (-55,795)
Managed Money Net Position: 98,237 contracts (4.9% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: +6,468 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 286,090 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -467,946 contracts
Market Sentiment (based on Managed Money): Bullish and Strengthening
Positioning Analysis (Managed Money): Normal Range
Key Takeaways:
- Managed Money traders are large speculators, often driving price trends in Crude Oil.
- Producer/Merchant positions primarily reflect hedging activity.
- Swap Dealers act as intermediaries.
- Extreme positioning by Managed Money can indicate potential market reversals.
- CFTC data reports positions as of the report date, usually released each Friday.
About Disaggregated CoT Reports:
The Disaggregated CoT report provides a more detailed breakdown of futures market open interest.
It categorizes traders into: Producer/Merchant/Processor/User (Commercials), Swap Dealers, Managed Money (Speculators), and Other Reportables.
| Date | Prediction | Lower Bound | Upper Bound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-31 | $69.95 | $66.47 | $73.44 |
| 2025-08-01 | $69.94 | $66.45 | $73.42 |
| 2025-08-02 | $69.79 | $66.3 | $73.27 |
| 2025-08-03 | $69.62 | $66.14 | $73.11 |
| 2025-08-04 | $69.58 | $66.09 | $73.06 |
The recent decline in crude oil prices across the board, including a $5.02 drop in the OPEC Reference Basket, suggests potential volatility in the short term. The Brent-WTI spread at $3.30 reflects ongoing supply/demand dynamics, indicating that traders should monitor this spread closely for short-term trading opportunities.
With the ICE Brent and NYMEX WTI forward curves strengthening into backwardation, there might be short-term bullish momentum despite the recent price drops. Traders should be cautious of potential market reversals if Managed Money positions become extreme.
The global oil demand forecast remains stable, with an expected increase of 1.3 mb/d in 2025, which could support production planning. However, the decline in inventory levels and recent 106 tb/d drop in DoC crude production should prompt producers to reassess their hedging strategies to mitigate risks associated with price fluctuations.
The market sentiment remains optimistic despite recent price declines, emphasizing the importance of maintaining operational efficiency and cost control in this environment.
The potential for input cost fluctuations is heightened with crude prices showing volatility. The recent 2% increase in crude exports indicates a tightening supply, which could impact procurement strategies for refineries and transportation sectors.
Given the geopolitical uncertainties and fluctuating inventory levels, consumers should consider hedging strategies to manage input costs effectively. Additionally, monitoring the Brent-WTI spread can provide insights into supply reliability and pricing dynamics.
The current Crude Oil market picture reflects a mix of bullish and bearish factors. While the global demand forecast remains stable, the decline in prices and tightening inventories suggest a potential shift in market dynamics.
The managed money positioning indicates a strengthening bullish sentiment, although caution is warranted due to potential extreme positions that could lead to reversals. Analysts should focus on the interplay between supply and demand fundamentals, geopolitical risks, and market sentiment to forecast future price movements.